MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 RAM Replacement

Use your fingers to push both battery release tabs away from the battery and lift the battery out of the computer.

Remove the four identical Phillips 3.4 mm screws from the memory door. These screws have 4 mm diameter heads rather than the 3 mm heads on the body screws.

Lift the memory door up enough to get a grip on it, and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing.

Release the tabs on each side of the RAM chip at the same time. These tabs lock the chip in place and releasing them will cause the chip to "pop" up.

Pull the chip directly out from its connector.

If there are two RAM chips installed, repeat the above procedure for the second chip.